In JDS Development Group’s latest “Building Know-How” film series, the luxury homebuilder explores the ancient building material terra-cotta. In this family, JDS reveals the step-by-step process of creating and installing individual green terra-cotta blocks for The Fitzroy, a boutique new condominium project in Chelsea, Manhattan adjacent to the High Line. Designed inside and out by the talented firm Roman & Williams, the Fitzroy reflects a return to the art of craftsmanship, breathtakingly illustrated by the 5600 terra-cotta blocks in 500 unique types, each piece hand finished by Boston Valley Terra Cotta.

In February 2017, one of Stella Tower’s penthouses sold for $10 million dollars, a record in the district. Developed by JDS Development Group, Stella Tower is the conversion of a telephone building by Ralph Walker—a sister project to the influential Walker Tower project in Chelsea—into 51 luxury condominiums. The sale of this penthouse reveals a growing trend in Hell’s Kitchen, where average sales prices have been up 12.8 per cent from 2016. The neighborhood is a natural home for Broadway professionals as well as drawing businessmen and women to the new housing supply.

The curious and uncommon skybridge at the American Copper Buildings stretches three stories, 300 feet up from the ground, connecting the east and west towers of American Copper at the hip. “It’s eye-catching and makes for an eccentric addition to the East River waterfront,” writes David Graver for Cool Hunting. Though traditionally skybridges were utilized in New York City to connect commercial spaces with a walkway, they have fallen out of favor. “This one, however,” Graver continues, “has something more afoot and longevity innately set.” In this luxury new development rental building by JDS Development Group, the skybridge offers a 75-foot indoor lap pool, lounge, and for three lucky residents, private outdoor space on top of the skybridge. SHoP Architects’ copper façade—kinking at four degrees—has already started to patina.

Given the unique silhouette of the American Copper Buildings, where two bent towers are linked by a skybridge, one may wonder what the design intent behind the project was. Gregg Pasquarelli from SHoP Architects and Michael Stern from JDS Development Group explain that the “kinky” design of the project, including the one-of-a-kind skybridge, was a result of working around the challenging lot conditions of the project. In order to keep the two towers connected, SHoP and JDS collectively agreed to build a bridge floating 300 feet above the ground, which now houses most of American Copper’s amenities. As reflected in the project’s name, the American Copper Buildings’ exterior is clad in copper, which will slowly turn green over time. In fact, a few of the copper panels have already been showing signs of patina, hinting to the buildings’ green future.

A new townhouse community – Saltmeadow – in Far Rockaway, has been recognized as one of the 12 new innovative developments for flood-resilient design. The development is located within the flood zone affected by Hurricane, which urged the developer, JDS Development Group, and the architect, CetraRuddy Architecture, to ensure Saltmeadow would withstand storms in the future. Habitable spaces in the apartments as well as electrical closets are all built above the base flood elevation, and the buildings include flood vents that will prevent damage to foundation walls in the case of a flood. Permeable pavers and storm planters are a few additional features that contribute to the project’s flood resilience.

Developed by JDS Development Group and designed by Cetra Ruddy, Saltmeadow Townhomes, new to the Far Rockaway neighborhood, has started leasing. Saltmeadow comprises of 60 two- and three-bedroom residences that are located along a coastline near the Rockaway Boardwalk, Atlantic Beach, and the Five Town community. Each residence features large windows up to 6 feet, custom engineered plank floors, Bosch washers and dryers, double sinks in kitchens, satin nickel hardware, and Porcelanosa fixtures.

Designed by CetraRuddy Architecture and developed by JDS Development Group, Saltmeadow is a new townhome community comprised of 60 waterside apartments in Far Rockaway, Queens. Each apartment showcases elegant finishes and materials, including custom plank floors, satin nickel hardware, blue stone entry stairs, marble kitchen counters, and marble bathroom walls and floors. Additionally, addressing the development’s proximity to water, all homes are designed with flood resilience measures.

Construction is underway for Monad Terrace, a luxury condominium project in South Beach, Miami, designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel. Michael Stern, founder and managing partner of JDS Development Group, stated, “Monad terrace innovates while integrating seamlessly into the context of Miami Beach. “Its thoughtful design serves as an exemplar for how we should be building and developing coastal cities. Without compromising aesthetics, this project brings the ingenuity and design that is entirely appropriate to this environment. This is an important project for Miami Beach, and I am proud that JDS is leading the way.”
The residences at Monad Terrace range from two to five bedrooms , each with generous indoor and outdoor living space. Amenities include a sun deck with a 116-foot swimming pool and hot tub overlooking Biscayne Bay, a wellness center, valet parking, a café and juice bar, , bicycle and water sports storage room, and an in-house concierge. Four penthouse residences include private pools on roof decks. The project expected to go vertical by March 2018, and the project should be completed by the third quarter of 2019.

With project such as 9 DeKalb in Downtown Brooklyn and 111W57 overseeing Central Park, it is no surprise that developer JDS Development Group perused a unique, luxury residential development for the copper-clad American Copper Buildings with SHoP Architects, intent on redrawing the New York City skyline. Located at 626 First Avenue between East 35th and East 36th Streets, the zoning requirements included a height limit and a mandate that should two towers be built, they could not be connected at grade.

As part of its 14th Annual Curbed Awards, Curbed awarded the American Copper Buildings “Building of the year” for bringing glamour to an otherwise bland area of New York City. Critic Alexandra Lange praised the building for its creativity—from it’s Copper Tone health club, and custom lighting, to branded signage by Pandiscio Co.—and for taping into the ethos of Rem Koolhaas’ Delirious New York “ A scene of seduction at the gym’s two-story climbing wall? A meet-cute in the lobby’s disco-worthy black mailroom?” Lange opined, “It’s fun to see a building ready for more than Netflix and chill.”